Course(s) Offered: Science, Engineering, Medical Sciences
Course Level: Graduate (postdoctoral)
Provider: Claude Leon Foundation
Country to Study in: South Africa
Scholarship Description
The Claude Leon Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme in the Sciences is one of the principal programmes of the Claude Leon Foundation.
The Trustees of the Foundation seek to upgrade research at South African universities in the faculties of Science, Engineering and Medical Sciences by making awards to both South African and foreign postdoctoral scientists, who should increase the volume and quality of research output, transfer technical skills, and generally enhance the research culture.
The Claude Leon Foundation is a South African charitable trust, resulting from a bequest by Claude Leon (1884-1972).
Eligibility
Preference will be given to candidates who:
- have received their doctoral degrees in the last five years; there may be exceptions for older candidates who bring special skills or experience.
- are currently under-represented in South African Science, Engineering and Medical Sciences.
Selection criteria:
Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis, taking the applicants’ academic achievements and potential as researchers into account.
The nationality of Fellowships awarded is very diverse. This is a deliberate intervention by the Claude Leon Foundation to bring international expertise and talent into South African research laboratories to exchange ideas and transfer expertise.
Eligible groups
Citizens of ALL countries are eligible.
This is targeted at both South Africans and foreign nationals. The nationality of Fellowships awarded is very diverse.
Participating Institutions
All South African universities and technikons.
The Universities of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Witwatersrand and Rhodes are the largest beneficiaries so far.
These are Useful Links to Universities and Institutions.
Fields of study
Research in the faculties of Science, Engineering and Medical Sciences.
Number of awards
Currently accounts for between 15 to 20 percent of all Postdoctoral Fellowships in South Africa on an annual basis.
The Foundation offered 46 new awards for 2014. The total number of Claude Leon Foundation Fellowships in 2013 was 98 (this included a number of second-year Fellows).
The Foundation has supported over 400 Postdoctoral Fellows over this period and spent over R100 million on the project to date.
Sponsorship duration
The Fellowship will be awarded for two years. It will lapse if it is not taken up within 12 months of the offer.
Scholarship benefits
Value will be worth R175,000 per annum
Note:
Entirely within the discretion of the Foundation, one economy class return flight may be awarded to those coming from outside South Africa.
The Foundation must be informed immediately of any supplementary travel grants and the conditions pertaining thereto which the Fellows may receive.
The Foundation reserves the right to adjust or cancel its translocation allowance without prior notice.
Method of Application
Completed Postdoctoral Application Forms must be submitted to the university/institution at which the applicant hopes to undertake the Fellowship.
Sections J, K, L and M of the application form must be dealt with by the university/institution of choice. These universities/institutions will ensure that applications forms are signed by the appropriate authorities, and that all copy documents are attached.
These forms should be scanned and emailed to postdocadmin@leonfoundation.co.za.
Please Note That Uncompleted And Unsigned Forms Cannot Be Accepted.
It is important to read the "Postdoctoral Fellowship Guidelines (Updated April 2014)" AND also to visit the official website (link to it is below) to download the "Postdoctoral Fellowship Application Form" and other details on how to apply.
DEADLINES:
Applications will be considered at one closing date (usually in May) to be announced each year.
The application deadline for Postdoctoral Fellowships for 2015 is 31 May 2014.
PLEASE NOTE:
The Claude Leon Foundation was registered as a charitable trust formed out of a bequest made by Claude Leon in 1963. Claude Leon was founder and Managing Director of the Elephant Trading Company, and helped start and finance several large South African companies such as Anglovaal, OK Bazaars and Edgars. The Foundation is governed by a 15-person Board of Trustees.
One of the most prestigious projects established by the Foundation and which has been in operation for more than a decade is the Postdoctoral Fellowships programme in the sciences, which has benefited more than 500 young scientists based in South Africa’s university system.
It is the largest of such programmes in the country outside of the government’s own postdoctoral programme led by the National Research Foundation.
Application Deadline: 31 May 2014
Open to International Applicants: Yes
More Fellowship Information and Application
Related: List of Scholarships in South African for Scholars